Improvement in envelopes



G. FOSTER, de0d.,

v J. M. FOSTER, Executrix.

E n v e 1 0 p e No. 211,725. Patented Jan. 28,1879. Fig.1. F6922. Fi .3 Fi .4.

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I JANE M. FOSTER, OF CORTLAND VILLAGE, (EXEOUTRIX OF CHARLES FOSTER ASSIGNOR TO LEBBEUS H. ROGERS, 0F NElV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEI VIENT IN ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,725, dated January 28, 1879 application filed June 21, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

c it known that 'OHAELEs FOSTER, now deceased, did, in his life-time, invent a new and useful Improvement in Envelopes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of envelopes, having forits object economy in the cost of production, as well as convenience in using the same.

As heretofore constructed, the manufacture of envelopes involves great waste of paper, amount of paper used in each envelope as in the configuration of the blanks, the cutting out ofwhich from large size or continuous sheets of paper produces such waste which is only fit to be converted again into pulp. On the other hand, most of the envelopes are so constructed that to 'open the same after once sealedis a task sometimes difficult and laborious, always requiring more or less time, which in heavy business transactions is an annoyance and aloss of valuable time. p

The object of this invention, therefore, is, as

already stated above, first, to make the blanks of envelopes of such configuration as will admit of the least waste of paper; second, to provide a means for the ready opening of the envelope.

To this end the said invention consists, first, in the construction of an envelope in the manner substantially as hereinafter described, the

same consistingof a pocket or sheet of paper folded in two, the one constituting the back, the other the face, side of the envelope, the latter being provided with a sealing-flap, the sides of the pocket being gmnmed or united at either or both ends by mucilage, applied on the interior of the envelope, either or both such united ends being perforated for the ready tearing off of the same, as hereinafter more fully shown and described 5 second, in an envelope having a line or lines of perforation in the vicinity of either end of the envelope, the said envelope being internally permanently sealed between such line of perforations and the end of the envelope.

To .enable others ends or afterward.

to make and use the said invention, I shall now proceed to describe the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are different examples. of envelopes made in accordance with said invention, said envelopes be; ing shown unfolded, and folded but open, so that their construction may be the more readily understood.

Fig. l is made of a sheet of paper first cut in longitudinal strips of the width of the envelope, and then divided transversely by means of suitable dies or cutters, according to lines a b c d e and f g h 2' k. The dotted line fm 00 indicates the position which the line a b 0 do will occupy when the envelope is folded and sealed. The part B is folded on line 0 9 against the part A, and when so folded these parts are made to adhere at their edges by means of mucilage applied to a strip on the end of the part B or the mucilage may be applied to the end of part A instead of B.

The lines of perforation are made either before the envelope. is folded and secured at the Care should be taken, however, that, as nearly as ma 1 be practicable, the line of perforations should coincide with the line of adhesive matter or mark the sealed end or strip of the envelope. This-is important in] connection with the said invention of an envelope, inasmuch .as, unless the end or strip between the edge of the envelope and line of perforations be sealed, the letter or note sheet inclosed in the envelope may slip into the part of the envelope beyond the line of perforation, and when the strip is to be torn off a portion of the letter or note sheet would be torn with it. i

The novelty in the envelope consists not in the form of the paper used for it, nor in the line of perforations on either side, nor yet in the application of guinto the strip to be torn off; but it consists in the construction of an envelope having these features combined, being a readymade envelope permanently sealed at its ends with a sealing-flap, and the means of sealing the same applied to it.

The modification shown in Fig.

2 differs 'line of perforations,

from that shown in Fig. 1 in this, that only one side is perforated. The other side may be sealed internally, or the part A of the envelope may be provided with a flap, whichis designed to be turned around and over and sealed on the outside of the part B when folded.

In modification Fi 3, the part A is provided on both sides with a projecting sealingflap. On one side a line of perforations is shown in a line parallel with the end of the finished envelope. The shade lines indicate the part to which the adhesive substance is applied to seal the end, 'WVhen the part B is folded against the part A, the one end, t, of the pocket thus formed will become sealed by the adhesive matter applied to either it or t. The projecting flap on either end, being also provided with adhesive matter, on being folded over and around the end of the part B of the envelope, will seal the same, affording double security in this, that, both ends being sealed alike, no tampering can be done if the ends are not perfectly gummed and secured.

Modification Fi 4. differs from that shown in Fig. 3 in this, that only one of the two parts A and B is perforated. It has been found in practice that if two sheets of paper are united by adhesive substance, it will readily tear along a line of perforations on either. It may, therefore, not be necessary to extend the line of perforations over both parts.

Modification Fig. 5 is an envelope made v substantially like that shown in Fig. 1, with this difference, that the sealing-flap O is separated from the part A of the envelope by a so that either end strip is removed and the envelope opened by the insertion of the finger and forcing it along the upper edge.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there are shown envelopes made in accordance with said invention, in which the gummed end sealing-flaps, bordered by a line of perforations, extend only partially on the side of the envelope. In Fig. 6 the sealed end on line of perforations extends from m to a, and is parallel with the edge of the envelope. In Fig. 7 it extends from m a 'in an oblique line or lines, the object being to enable a piece of the envelope being torn off to afford sufficient room for the insertion into the envelope of the finger, whereby the e11- velope can be readily torn in either direction.

It will be understood that the perforations may be made on either side of the envelope. In Fig. 8 is shown the construction of an envelope open on the side. The sheet or blank is cut with sealing-flaps on opposite sides and;

on top. The lower part, B, is first folded and secured to part A at the left side flaps. a and b are then closed on and permanently united with part B. The sealing-flap g is only used when the envelope is to be closed. In the above specification, the word perforations is not confined to well-defined holes, but is used in its broader sense to include punctures or indented dots or lines or line.

What is claimed as the invention of CHARLES FOSTER, deceased, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows: I,

1. An envelope constructed in the manner substantially as herein described the same consisting of a poeket'or sheetof paper folded in two, the one constituting the back, the other the face, side of theenvelope, the latter being provided with a sealin g flap, and the sides of the pocket being gummed or united at either or both ends by mucilage, applied on the interior of the envelope, either or both such united ends being perforated for the ready tearing off of the same, as herein shown and described.

2. An venvelope having a line or lines of perforations in the vicinity of either end of the envelope, the said envelope being internally permanently sealed between such line of perforations and the end of the envelope, substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

JANE M. FOSTER, Ercoutrtx of Charles Foster.

Witnesses R. H. DUELL, A. 1 SMITH. 

